A major construction project that's set to improve and widen miles of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia has been postponed due to weather.
Construction on a northbound section of the highway from Race Street to Allegheny Avenue was set to begin on Monday night. But PennDOT officials announced late Monday afternoon that the threat of poor weather conditions prompted them to move the project's start date to Wednesday night at 10 p.m.
The construction is the second phase of a $211.7 million project. PennDOT is widening the interstate to accommodate more traffic. To handle traffic flow during the project, crews will be repainting three lanes between the Girard and Allegheny Avenues interchanges. That's a 1.5 miles stretch of road.
Crews will also be rebuilding the ramps on the Girard Avenue Interchange while replacing two bridges and adding new signage and retaining walls.
Crews are set to work from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each weeknight this week and PennDOT warns motorists to expect possible lane closures and slowdowns during those overnight hours.
PennDOT officials say the large project, set to wrap up in 2018, will help add an entire lane and improve the deteriorating roadway.
“The rebuilding and widening of the northbound side of I-95 is another step forward in our plan to address the structural deterioration of this aging highway and to add a fourth through lane in each direction to enhance traffic flow and safety on this critical artery,” PennDOT District Executive Lester C. Toaso said.
General Contractor James J. Anderson Construction Co., Inc. of Philadelphia is carrying out the 100-percent federally funded project.
Starting next week, changes will be made to southbound lanes of I-95.
Here's a map of the project provided by PennDOT:
